After fine-tuning their squads at the auction, all 10 IPL franchises are now set for the 2024 edition of the tournament, likely to be played between March 22 and end of May.
Ahead of the IPL 2024 season, all eyes will be on the legendary MS Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a record-equalling fifth IPL title earlier this year.
During the IPL 2023 campaign, Dhoni struggled right through the tournament with a knee injury and speculations were rife that it could well be his last season.
However, Dhoni vowed to return in 2024 fitness-permitting after lifting the coveted trophy. In fact, he underwent surgery to treat his troubling knee soon after the triumphant campaign.
With nearly three months remaining for the IPL 2024, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has provided an update on Dhoni’s recovery.
“He has recovered well (from his knee injury). He is undergoing his rehab programmes, started training,” Viswanathan told ANI.
“By the time the next IPL starts, I am sure he will be fit to play,” he added, much to the delight of Dhoni’s millions of fans.
During the IPL 2024 auction last week, CSK purchased six players, with three of them being overseas cricketers. New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell (Rs 14 crore) was their most expensive buy while uncapped Sameer Rizvi (Rs 8.4 crore) was their second-most expensive purchase.
Besides, the defending champions also secured the services of Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Mustafizur Rahman and Aravelly Avinash at the auction.
The CSK CEO also revealed when the preparations for the next season would get underway.
“The IPL camp for the next season will start by the first week of March next year,” Viswanathan said.
CSK’s squad after IPL 2024 auction: MS Dhoni (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Mukesh Choudhary, Ajay Mandal, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shaik Rasheed, Shivam Dube, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman, Avinash Rao Aravelly.
